Although the egg hatch model predicts the start of the second codling moth (CM) generation and the peak of the second Oriental fruit moth (OFM) generation during the week of June 25, the actual situation in each orchard is different and at most locations we are observing the end of the first CM generation and almost no activity from OFM. Tufted apple budmoth (TABM) and oblique banded leafroller (OBLR) populations are also between generations right now. The sex pheromone traps for all four major pest species are the most reliable tools to assess the actual pressure from each pest and the best indicators of “if and when” control measures need to be implemented. The unusual weather pattern not only affected the harvest time for early stone fruit but also influenced the development of our common pests. By now the first generation larvae of OFM, CM, TABM and OBLR should be under control and hopefully no additional treatments will be required until later in the summer.

Mid-Summer Pests to Begin Monitoring

Green/spirea aphids, leafhoppers (potato, white apple and rose) and leafminers are the pests to watch for during the month of July. If any or all of these pests are present, they can be controlled with effective application(s) of one of the neonicotinoid insecticides (i.e., Actara, Assail, Belay, Calypso or Provado).

First Japanese Beetles Detected

In monitoring orchards last week, we observed the first Japanese beetle (JB) adults in orchards located in western and south-central Pennsylvania. All products mentioned above should help with at least partial control of this pest. Carbaryl (Sevin) is also highly effective against JB. In addition, most materials recommended for the control of brown marmorated stink bug should provide good control of JB.

Wooly Apple Aphid Aerial Colonies Detected

Aerial colonies of wooly apple aphids (WAA) have become visible in some orchards. Products such as Diazinon (at 1.5-2.0 lb/acre) or Movento should provide excellent control of WAA (and also scales).

Managing Mites

Phytophagous mites such as European red mite or twospotted mite can be controlled with a wide assortment of summer acaricides: Envidor (IRAC Group 23), Kanemite (IRAC Group 20B), Nexter (IRAC Group 21A) Portal (IRAC Group 21A) or Zeal (IRAC Group 10B). When deciding which products to use, please remember the importance of resistance management and do not use products from the same IRAC group during two consecutive seasons.

Intensive Monitoring Required to Prevent Apple Maggot Damage

Although apple maggot is still not one of the dominant pests in our Pennsylvania orchards and in most situations does not require rigorous insecticide treatments, intensive monitoring is required to accurately assess the potential for problems caused by this pest.

Importance of Preparing a Season-Long BMSB Management Plan

Various levels of brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) are being observed in and around fruit orchards located mainly in the southern part of Pennsylvania. Although new, young 2nd and 3rd instar nymphs were already observed feeding on stone fruits, no new summer generation adults have been detected so far. All BMSB adults we are finding are still the same individuals that survived the winter and now are reproductively active. We are expecting to see the new summer adults within the next few weeks. As the season progresses, all developmental stages (i.e., eggs, nymphs and adults) will be present in orchards at the same time. Additionally, the ability of this pest to survive and reproduce on almost all green plants in our environment will contribute to a continuous influx of new individuals into orchards from the surrounding vegetation. Based on our observations (as well as those of other researchers working on this pest), it seems that the highest aggregations of BMSB around the edges of orchards can be found on catalpa, tulip poplar, Ailanthus sp.(tree of heaven) and Paulownia sp. (princess tee), however other wild hosts are also capable of supporting high numbers of all BMSB stages. If the last two seasons taught us anything about this pest, we now know that stink bugs migrating from the surrounding vegetation can be the most significant source of infestation, causing injuries to fruit throughout the entire season until mid-October.

Multiple insecticide chemistries are available for the control of BMSB but they cannot control stink bugs that are not present in the orchard at the time of the insecticide application(s). While the residual activity of available insecticides are effective against BMSB nymphal stages, the same residual activity is almost insignificant in protecting fruit from feeding injuries caused by migrating BMSB adults.

As we have learned during the last two seasons, in some locations we will experience incessant pressure from this pest, so it is extremely important to prepare a season-long BMSB management plan. Since pest pressure just before harvest might be as high or higher than earlier in the season, effective insecticides with the shortest pre-harvest interval (PHI) should be preserved for use later in the season. Please note that as of June 24, 2012 the products with the active ingredient dinotefuran (as in Scorpion and Venom) are not registered for use in orchards. As soon as we receive the Section 18 Emergency Registration, we will send a notification.

At the same time, since some products can be used multiple times per season, growers must pay particular attention to the number of allowable applications as specified on the label. Also, please review the label for the total amount of active ingredient allowed on any particular crop. Another confusing factor to consider is that some products are sold under different names but have the same active ingredient. For all active ingredients, there is only a certain allowable amount that can be applied for the season on any particular crop. For example, thiamethoxam – an active ingredient which is very effective against BMSB – is contained in a number of different products (i.e., Actara®, Voliam Flexi®, Endigo®). The grower is only allowed to use a total of 0.172 lb of active ingredient of thiamethoxam for the entire season on stone fruits regardless of the number of products that contain thiamethoxam.

Seasonal Activity of Fruit Pests

2012 season weekly captures of adult moths in pheromone traps located at Penn State FREC, Biglerville, PA (Adams County)

Species

3-May

10-May

17-May

24-May

31-May

7-Jun

14-Jun

21-Jun

RBLR

1

0

0

0

22

17

43

26

STLM

4

6

2

2

138

65

69

84

OFM

46

51

7

7

4

2

3

0

CM

23

29

21

21

33

6

12

3

TABM

7

6

16

16

9

4

2

1

OBLR

-

0

0

0

9

3

1

1

DWB

1

3

15

15

11

4

22

17

PTB

-

-

0

0

1

0

0

1

LPTB

0

2

1

1

1

0

1

1

Degree-Day Table

Accumulated degree-days base 43°F from Jan 01 for each reported year (courtesy of SkyBit, Inc.). The accumulated degree-days for the last date of the current year (July 01) mentioned in the table are based on the weather forecast.